Episode 269
“What kind of nonsense is that!?”
Logan’s voice rose without realizing it.
It’s a god-forsaken land.
Where could such a terrible sound come from?
It was clear that the public would become anxious just from those words being leaked out.
“Ah… it’s just a suspicion. It’s not the consensus of the temple, it’s just the Pope’s personal opinion. That’s why we’re going to investigate. Calm down, Your Majesty.”
Pamiel made excuses while breaking into a cold sweat, but Logan’s anger did not subside.
“So, now that many children are being born in McLane without divine power, the Pope… is he claiming the nonsense that it is a land forsaken by God?”
Pamiel, who took the brunt of the angry Auror user’s energy, repeatedly waved his hands without even thinking about pointing out Logan’s slip of the tongue.
“He was just raising a question! If the results of the investigation are good, he will withdraw his opinion. Yes, it is clear. Hehe.”
“What if it doesn’t turn out well?”
“That can’t be true. Isn’t ‘God-forsaken land’ a term used only for the southern mountain ranges or demonic forests? Isn’t that possible for a country where people live just fine?”
There must be.
Looking at the archbishop with a forced smile, Logan’s anxiety grew even more.
‘Looking at the records, they are pure crazy people.’
According to the data I looked up on the way to the temple, the current Heresy Questioners were no different from the corrupt priest Balama. The only difference is whether the target is a large number of innocent ordinary people or a true cult.
Stories like the story of a farmer who was burned at the stake after ruining the year’s crop and cursing Aion, the god of water and agriculture, were so common that they overflowed.
‘Maybe that corrupted priest just killed a cultist of his own standards.’
Logan gritted his teeth, thinking that if the present-day church heard about it, it would literally cause a fight.
If you were to punish a soldier who suddenly suffered from abdominal pain while standing guard while doing his business in the forest, common sense would suggest that it would be limited to a warning.
However, the action of the Inquisitors was to define it as desertion and issue orders for extermination.
It is they who are creating sins that do not exist and inflating them hundreds of times.
So, if you just sit back and wait for good results, there is a high chance that the worst will happen.
“Is there a way to persuade the Inquisitors? What I am saying is within the bounds of what is legal and does not conflict with God’s will.”
Will bribery work?
“Huh. Well, the Inquisitors of the Central Temple are not flexible priests like me. That’s right…”
Pamiel glanced at Logan and looked away.
That it would be difficult.
“…Then is there anything else we should be careful about when dealing with the Inquisitors?”
Is there any other way?
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but I don’t have the authority to interfere with the interrogation team…”
“Archbishop. There’s no reason for me to donate if the story we already know continues.”
When Pamiel showed signs of withdrawing his foot, Logan immediately prescribed lethal medication. Pamiel, who flinched, let out a small sigh and spoke again.
“…Inquisitors undergo intensive mental training. If they show any flexibility, they will consider it a crime.”
Bribery is a crime.
“But that is not the case with Cardinal Ezer, who comes to lead them. He is a flexible priest like me.”
“Hoo…”
But if you’re on our side, it’s a gift.
“Are you saying he’s a flexible cardinal?”
So he also likes bribes?
“I’m Grandia. Hmm. Sorry, it’s become a habit… We were close friends for over ten years before we came to McLane Parish.”
A priest as corrupt as you.
A sigh of relief flowed from Logan’s lips at the reassuring story.
“Hmm. Then I guess the archbishop knows what he likes?”
“Ah… Haha. That’s…” It
seemed very uneasy that he kept avoiding eye contact, so when Logan asked a silent question with slightly frowning eyes, Pamiel hesitated before opening his mouth.
“It would be difficult if the fact that I told you was leaked out. Since that friend’s status is a social status…” “
Of course.”
Pamiel, who was breaking out in a cold sweat despite that confirmation, soon stuttered and opened his mouth.
“Cardinal Ethel likes money, but he likes women even more.”
“…yes?”
Logan’s eyes hardened slightly.
“That too… Hmm. I like a female disciple who is a bit younger. In her early or mid-teens…”
Logan’s face was completely distorted by Pamiel’s addition.
“…A cardinal?”
No matter how corrupt the denomination is, how can a cardinal, who holds the same status as an archbishop and even has the right to elect the next pope, reveal his true nature? Even young children?
Did I hear correctly?
I looked at Pamiel in bewilderment, and he urgently waved his hand.
“Your Majesty. You can never, ever say that I told you?!”
Pamiel’s concern for my safety added truth to his words.
Sigh…
“Fuck you…”
It was a very inappropriate remark for the king of a country to make in front of an archbishop, but Pamiel couldn’t bear to argue.
On the way back after meeting with the archbishop.
Logan’s expression was not very good.
Victor, who had to deliver even worse news, spoke cautiously with a somewhat stern expression.
“As you ordered, I inquired about Bishop Ilia’s news inside the temple and confirmed some facts.”
“say.”
“It is true that Bishop Ilia was repatriated to the central temple, but the expression known to the outside world seems to have been considerably purified. It is said that he was in fact taken as a prisoner.”
Logan, who had been walking without thinking, stopped for a moment at those words.
“Huh…”
I raised my head in frustration and saw a bright blue sky without a single cloud.
As I looked at that clear blue color, for some reason I felt even dirtier.
“Temple… It’s really diverse.”
Deep anger seeped out of his low voice.
It never occurred to me that Bishop Ilya had been called for a good cause. Because the reason for the summons included the words taboo and interrogation.
But are you treated like a prisoner by the diocese where you are the bishop?
Doesn’t this mean that they will punish you without giving you any room to make excuses in the first place?
Thinking about the only priestly priest he knew, his already frustrated heart became even more frustrated.
As if Logan wasn’t the only one in a bad mood, Viktor said something unusual.
“…Is there no way to save the bishop?”
When Viktor, who rarely shows his emotions, said something unexpected, Logan looked at him with puzzled eyes.
“He was very popular among the orphans in the slums. Even the local gangsters only respect Bishop Ilya.”
“…I guess I heard a rumor.”
“I met him a few times when I was doing volunteer work off duty. He was a very warm person.”
her?
Volunteer?
Perhaps because he had not yet shaken off the image of a noble slayer from his past life, Logan found it even more surprising that Viktor had done volunteer work.
‘This guy…’
However, in the current situation, the fact that Viktor was noticeably different from his previous life was only a small joy, so Logan shook his head with a hard look on his face.
“It’s unfortunate, but even for me, that’s impossible. You’ll be branded a heretic before the Inquisitors even investigate.”
“If I’m going to be branded a heretic anyway, wouldn’t it be better to at least get a priest?”
“…what?”
“Lia said that after the Heresy Inquisitor’s investigation, there was not a single case that was found innocent. That’s why I’m telling you this.”
Logan’s expression hardened even more at Victor’s words.
“It will be concluded as heresy anyway…?”
“I’m sorry if my words were hasty.”
“No, no. You’re right. There’s a high probability of that happening. Ha…”
It was a fairly predictable inference.
Only then did Logan realize that he had been unconsciously only looking for the possibility of a good solution.
‘Such a fool…’
If the temple had really intended to do that in the first place, no matter what countermeasures were prepared, it would be meaningless.
‘If you try to bribe me, it will actually be an excuse.’
If I did it wrong, I would have made a big mistake.
“Well said, Victor.”
Logan gathered his thoughts again, rubbing his right arm with goosebumps. Because it would be right to prepare for the worst rather than the best.
“Call Damian. And tell the knights. From now on…”
As Logan continued, Viktor’s expression became increasingly hard.
A month later.
A group of about 300 people entered the gates of Grand.
Considering the floating population of Grand, it was not a large proportion, but its unique behavior caught the attention of everyone passing by.
“A priest…?”
“It looks like a legal uniform, but why is it black?”
“What do you have on your head instead of a judge?”
People who saw them wearing pitch-black robes and steel helmets instead of judges with expressionless faces instinctively took a step back.
Among them, those with good eyesight noticed that under the loose black robes there was silver armor similar to a helmet. And the complexions of those with knowledge changed dramatically when they realized that the clothes belonged to those who called for justice and incited fear in the past.
“No way…”
“Oh, probably not.”
The group that attracted so many eyes quickly headed to the palace, surrounded by knights from the castle.
The few people who could guess its meaning hurried home with blue faces.
“It is an honor to meet you like this, Your Majesty.”
An old man full of fine wrinkles smiled warmly and bowed his head towards Logan.
“It is an honor for me to meet you, Cardinal. However, since the agenda is just an agenda, I can’t just like you.”
“Haha. What does Your Majesty have to worry about? Everything will proceed naturally according to the will of the Nine Ministers.”
Cardinal Ethel Fabrun. Just looking at his personable face and noble tone, he seemed like the symbol of a priest.
However, after hearing Archbishop Pamiel’s words and Damian’s investigation results, Logan could not face this person with a smile.
“I really hope everything goes as planned. So where do you plan to start the investigation?”
“First of all, did you say it’s the Raftan region? I plan to start investigating the area where the plague occurred. There are worrying reports that temple taboos have been violated.”
Logan’s complexion hardened as he looked at Cardinal Ethel, who was spitting out bone-filled words with a soft smile on his face.
“It was part of the process to create a cure for the plague. The bishop who accompanied us at the time also allowed it.”
“Ah, you are talking about Sister Ilia. Unfortunately, she must have been summoned to the central temple by now. Have you heard any news?”
Ethel Fabrun laughed as he said, ‘You’re done.’
Looking at that face, Logan protested with a somewhat aggrieved expression.
“I know there may be differences of opinion even within the church, but isn’t this unfair to us? It’s not our fault that the temple changed its words.”
“Of course, that’s true. That’s why, if possible, I also want to give a good report to the Pope. This is so… I also have my own position. Hehe. “I don’t know if Your Majesty will show sincerity.”
The sight of an old man tapping the table with his curled thumb and forefinger. The
blatant and vulgar hand gestures that even a gangster who goes to collect goods at a rural market are so contrary to the first impression that it is disgusting. But
Logan smiled and nodded.
Then, Victor, who was waiting next to him, took out a sack almost as big as a human head and placed it on the table in front of the cardinal.
Clap.
Clap.
“Oh. “Your Majesty, what is this?”
Looking at the Cardinal who smiled suspiciously, Logan also smiled.
“It’s a small amount, but please use it as a start-up fee for research activities. When you return, I will provide you with plenty of extra care. Oh, if it’s inconvenient, you can tell me the Cardinal’s personal account.”
“Oh, my. “Thank you for this, but…”
Ethel, who was smiling mysteriously, raised the corners of his mouth even more and his brown eyes flashed. Then, he pulled on the sack and said,
“Your Majesty. Giving a bribe to a priest under investigation for heresy is considered to be a partial admission of the charges in the investigation. I guess you didn’t know this. Brother Rob, you’re taking notes, right?”
The Cardinal smiled slyly, and a priest standing in the back nodded.
But Logan also smiled and nodded.
“Huh? Hmm. Of course I know. I had no idea that the Cardinal would view me as someone with such a lack of common sense.”
“What?”
Ethel’s expression distorted without realizing it, and Logan continued.
“The royal family’s financial situation is not good these days, so they are using coopers instead of gold coins. Ready. All in all, it won’t even amount to 10 gold. The official standard for a bribe was 100 gold, right?”
Whisper.
Grumble. As
Essen nervously opened the bag, copper currency from decades ago, which is difficult to obtain these days, poured out.
He looked nervously at the sight of the red-brown currency filling his eyes. He chewed his lip. Then, as if he had never made such an expression before, he suddenly smiled awkwardly and lowered his head.
“This was very rude, Your Majesty. “I’m a bit impatient…”
“No. Yes, you might. Well….”
The two people exchanged forced smiles.
But they both knew that their true feelings had already been exposed to some extent.
Especially.
‘This scumbag, a pedophile who revealed bribes, refused the bribe. This is his plan.’ ‘That’s what I came here for.’
Logan couldn’t help but harden his expression when he realized that this was the worst situation he could have expected.
